"Xoè Art" and "Xa Nha Ca" Performance of the Ha Nhi people are National Intangible Cultural Heritages

Presenting the Decision on recognition of National Intangible Cultural Heritage to representatives of the government and people of Thu Lum commune

Xoè art of the Ha Nhi people and "Xa Nha Ca" performance, which are folk performing arts of the Ha Nhi people, are two of the seven heritages recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as National Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2025. Up to now, in Lai Chau province, there are a total of 13 cultural heritages registered and recognized.

“Xoè Hà Nhi” is a form of cultural and artistic activity in the spiritual life of the Hà Nhi people, often danced on occasions such as festivals, New Year’s Eve, harvest prayers, weddings, housewarmings, etc. with many forms of performance such as: drum dance, field dance, weaving dance, rain-waiting dance, seasonal dance, moon-watching dance, farewell dance, etc. clearly showing the spirit of solidarity, joy and aspiration for abundance in the life of the Hà Nhi people.

Performance of "Xa Nha Ca" at the ceremony to announce the recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

The performance “Xa Nha Ca” is a folk epic, an oral poem, with 3,590 verses divided into 11 parts with a logical and tight structure, recounting the history of the struggle for survival, the migration process from the old land to new lands about 300 years ago. The performance expresses the Ha Nhi people’s concept of the formation of all things, explains the origin of the universe and all species; helps the next generation better understand the spiritual culture of their ancestors, contributing to maintaining and preserving the customs, habits and good lifestyle of the Ha Nhi people.

Besides, “Xa Nha Ca” also contains many lessons on ethics, morality and guidance on how to behave between people and between people and nature, connecting the past with the present, helping the young generation understand and appreciate their roots.

Performing "Xoe Ha Nhi" at the ceremony to announce the recognition as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage

At the ceremony, Mr. Tran Van Cong, Deputy Director of Lai Chau Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, emphasized that the art of "Xoè Hà Nhi" and "Xa Nhà Ca" performance recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism as being included in the list of national intangible cultural heritages is not only the pride of the ethnic community that owns it, but also the common responsibility of the whole society in protecting, transmitting and promoting unique cultural values .

This is an important driving force and basis for the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Lai Chau, the locality and the Ha Nhi community to continue to preserve, maintain and promote traditional cultural values associated with socio -economic development, especially community cultural tourism in the Thu Lum border area, the westernmost part of the country.

Source: https://baovanhoa.vn/van-hoa/nghe-thuat-xoe-va-dien-xuong-xa-nha-ca-cua-nguoi-ha-nhi-la-di-san-van-hoa-phi-vat-the-quoc-gia-179603.html